This week:
Bechukotai

“God loves the gates of Zion
above all the dwelling places of Jacob.” (Psalms 87:2)

What are these beloved “gates of Zion"? Why are they so dear
to God?

A simple understanding of this verse would point to the
gates of the holy Temple in Jerusalem, treasured above any
other building or edifice.

But what about nowadays, after the Temple’s destruction? Do
we have anything that can take the place — to some extent,
at least — of the holy Temple?

Four Cubits of Halachah

Rav Hisda expounded this verse by noting that the word
‘Zion,’ ordinarily a synonym for Jerusalem, literally means
‘distinguished.’ “God loves the distinguished gates of
Halachah [Jewish law] more than the synagogues and houses
of study.” As the Sages taught, “Since the day the Temple
was destroyed, the Holy One has nothing in His world except the four
cubits of Halachah” (Berachot 8a).

In the absence of the Temple, Halachah takes on its
central role. But what gives Jewish law such cosmic
importance?

Communal Holiness

The Temple and a unifying code of Jewish law share a common
function. They both embody the unique sanctity of the
Jewish people. After all, what makes the Jewish people
special? What is their 'zion' — their distinguishing trait?

The unique sanctity of the Jewish people is not expressed in the
synagogue or the house of study. Other nations also set aside
time for prayer and study. What truly distinguishes the
Jewish people is the lofty goal of an entire nation living its life, both private and
public, according to the Torah’s teachings. This is not
a sanctity of individuals, but a communal holiness, whereby
Halachic standards in all areas of life — food,
dress, speech, business dealings, and so on — unify the people to
live as God’s holy nation.

In the time of the Temple, the central service in
Jerusalem was a unifying force of communal sanctity. The
entire nation directed its spiritual aspirations
towards this one focal point of holiness. All prayers were
recited facing the Temple’s Holy of Holies.

After the Temple’s destruction, however, the only remaining
spiritual force uniting the nation was the “the four
cubits of Jewish law.” With great insight, Rav Hisda saw in Halachah
the beloved “gates of Zion.” Halachah provides the Jewish people with
‘gates’ — a moral guide to all aspects of life,
for the individual, the family, the community, and the nation.
They are gates of zion, gates of ‘distinction,’ expressing the
unique mission of “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”